Two men were treated for minor injuries and released. Bystanders rescued one man, who was thrown into the water when the barge exploded.

A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received a call at 3:12 p.m. from the captain of a tugboat, who reported he had just witnessed a major explosion at Superior Docks. The witness stated that the blast was so strong, it blew his boat’s windows out.

Coast Guard Station Port Aransas dispatched a 25-foot Response Boat – Homeland Security and a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium. The boatcrews secured the area and assisted with recovery efforts. Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi launched an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter to survey the damage.

Coast Guard inspectors and investigators are currently on scene, assessing the damage and searching for possible pollution. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.